22 Sep Update from Macau

Jana sent the following information from Macau on September 22.

• Last week 25 children came to Kids’ Klub. We’re excited that this many children are attending. A few had learned their memory verses. Praise the Lord for this opportunity to reach children for Christ.
• More women came back to English Bible Study last Friday. I’m thankful for their friendships and their desire to learn more about the Bible. Pray that new students will feel welcome and accepted as we work to bring them into the group.
• Pray for a Chinese Christian friend of mine who is facing a lot of negative pressure from her family. Pray for wisdom as I reach out to her.
• Continue to pray that David and Melissa Kline will be granted work permits so that they can teach in the ELP and at Pui Va Middle School.

20 Sep Karen Crumbley Undergoes Surgery

Former UB missionary Karen Crumbley underwent surgery on Thursday, September 16. The operation went well, though they ended up removing two-thirds of her lung, instead of the one-third they had anticipated. Fortunately, no cancer cells were found. Karen is now doing well. She was moved from Intensive Care to a private room on Sunday night, September 19. If all goes well, she should be able to return home sometime this week.

16 Sep Fund Established for Jamaica Relief

Further reports from Jamaica, in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, tell of much damage to UB churches and homes. in addition, at least 7 buildings lost their roofs at Jamaica Bible College (where Owen Gordon is the president, and where Bishop Emeritus Wilbur and Mossie Sites are currently serving as volunteers), and there is also much water damage.

A fund has been set up for Jamaica Hurricane Relief. You can donate via credit card online, or send a check to: Jamaica Relief, 302 Lake St., Huntington, IN 46750. Make checks payable to “United Brethren Headquarters,” and be sure to indicate whether it is for Jamaica or Florida hurricane relief (since we have funds set up for each).

16 Sep Macaur Updates

Jana sent the following updates on September 14:

• Last week over 20 children attended the first Kids’ Klub. We’d only set up 15 chairs, so God worked beyond our expectations! Praise the Lord for these children who will be learning God’s Word each week.
• ELP enrollment is much higher than it was last fall. The overall atmosphere is also more upbeat with Michael, David, and Melissa here also building relationships. Praise God for all these people He’s bringing into the center to hear about Him.
• David and Melissa Kline are still waiting for their permits from the government to be able to teach legally. Continue to pray for that whole situation. Also pray for missionaries with other mission organizations in Macau who are facing similar struggles.
• This Friday night, Michael will start a Cantonese-speaking Care Group. As with Kids’ Klub, our goal is to start having some activities that are not using English instruction as the main attraction. Pray that people who are spiritually hungry will come. Also pray for wisdom for Michael as he begins this new ministry.

16 Sep Hurrican Relief Funds Update

As of Thursday afternoon, September 16, UB people and churches had contributed about $6000 to the relief funds for Florida and Jamaica. This is only money channeled through the United Brethren Offices; others funds have been given directly. The Jamaica fund was established and publicized on Wednesday. Here is the breakdown thus far:

• Florida Hurricane Relief Fund: $3219 donated.
• Jamaica Hurricane Relief Fund: $2785 donated.

16 Sep Three Needs for Jamaica After Ivan

Darlene Burkett, who works in Global Ministries, was able to speak today with Owen Gordon, a UB minister in Jamaica who is also president of Jamaica Bible College. Phone service is back up, but that is all. There is still no electricity and no water. Owen said that they have no idea when those things will get restored because of the extreme damage.

Owen said that if there is someone who absolutely wants to come to Jamaica right now to help, here are three things that they could bring with them that would be of immediate assistance:

• Generator. If they had a generator, they would be able to pump water from a holding tank that they have. Right now there are no generators to be found anywhere. They were purchased almost immediately. The government has said that they will not charge duty on any item like this for an extended period of time because of the great need.
• Chlorine tablets for water purification. These, too, are unable to be obtained in Jamaica.
• Battery powered lamps and their batteries. This would help, especially at night.

The airports are open on a limited basis. Owen isn’t sure what travel from the airports would be like. Most roads are still impassable for the large part. He thinks that individuals familiar with Jamaica might be able to get through.

13 Sep News from Jamaica After Ivan

Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, made contact with Janet Smith, wife of Jamaica superintendent Rev. Winston Smith. As we know, the island of Jamaica was hit hard by Hurricane Ivan. Here are some notes Donna took from her phone conversation with Janet.

“Janet said that no part of the island escaped damage, but she feels that the Kingston area was one of the more fortunate areas. Along the bay in Kingston they experienced 15-foot swells and there is a great deal of debris that will need to be removed from the roadways, especially out to the airport in Kingston.

“The Golden Springs area of Jamaica is okay. They had high winds and a lot of rain, but everyone is safe. Mandeville was hit very hard. Rev. Don Dacres and Rev. Trevor Williams had heavy damage to their homes. Many of our churches sustained heavy damage, but it has been difficult to assess the damage because of debris on the roads. Janet knows that the Mt. Pleasant and Mt. Prospect churches sustained heavy damage. Montego Bay was also hit quite heavily.

“The whole island is without power. Electricity was cut before the hurricane came so as to help prevent fires from downed lines. There is no idea when power will be restored. They have limited phone service.

“As far as she knows, none of our UB people lost their lives and no one sustained injuries. There are many, however, who are without homes.

“Winston Smith will be calling into the office and keep us informed about needs. Mrs. Smith says she is confident one need will be work teams to help repair and rebuild homes and churches.”